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Overabundance of cats at Cause For Critters

Oct 31, 2017 | 11:30 AM

The Cause for Critters Animal Rescue Society (CFCARS) says they are over capacity with cats and have had to turn away over a dozen in the past few weeks. 

Shelter Manager Debra Coward says the shelter has received calls from as far away as Spruce Grove and Edmonton with people asking if they could take their pets as shelters across the province struggle with being full.

In the past three weeks the shelter has had to turn away 16 people with Coward adding they simply don’t have enough room to house all the felines due to being over their maximum of 30. 

“We haven’t been able to help because we’ve been overrun,” says Coward with a big increase in cats coming in combined with an increase in dealing with animal control pushing their capacity sky high.

Nine cats have been adopted out this month, but those empty kennels are quickly filled up with new arrivals.

Currently the shelter is looking after 34 cats with 27 in the building and an additional seven in foster care waiting to be transfered into the facility. Four dogs are also being fostered out.

The most pressing thing CFCARS needs is more fosters due to animals needing to wait nine days after getting their vaccinations before they can be introduced into the shelter. The fostering is free to the cat or dog lover, with everything being supplied and paid for. All that is needed is a warm place and plenty of love and attention for the animal.

Currently the shelter is looking for funds to help with the completion of their infirmary, where a local vet comes to the shelter and checks the animals health. CFCARS Secretary Fayrell Wheeler says that saves the pets the stress of going to the vet and also the volunteers time. 

Donations are always accepted, with cat litter being at the top of the list for most needed items.